Fruits on an empty stomach: who can and who should abstain

Some experts are convinced that eating fruit on an empty stomach carries certain health risks, while others do not see anything particularly dangerous in this. To understand this issue, let's consider the main arguments of both sides.

Opponents of the idea of ​​​​eating fruit on an empty stomach refer to the fact that in this case, fruit sugars can provoke a sharp increase in blood glucose levels, which will negatively affect the pancreas and digestion processes. In addition, they believe that sour fruits can irritate the already empty gastrointestinal system in the morning.

However, nutritionists, as a rule, adhere to a different point of view. They argue that the widespread opinion about the harm of fruit on an empty stomach is just another established myth, not supported by scientific evidence. Experts note that in the cultural traditions of many peoples of the world, eating fruit immediately after sleep is a completely normal practice, and people do not experience any health problems.

Moreover, nutritionists assure that for most healthy people, eating fruit in the morning does not cause any harm. In their opinion, fruit can be eaten at any time - on an empty stomach, before or after a meal. The only exception may be pineapples, which, due to the high enzyme content, are best consumed as part of the main meal to avoid irritation of the gastric mucosa.

At the same time, nutritionists warn that during an exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases, such as gastritis, peptic ulcer disease or intestinal dysfunction, fruits should be completely excluded from the diet, regardless of the time of meals. In such cases, it is necessary to strictly adhere to a gentle diet.

In addition, experts recommend that people suffering from gastritis or gastric ulcer in remission be careful when consuming sour fruits and berries (cranberries, sea buckthorn, lingonberries, unripe citrus fruits, pineapple). Increased acidity of gastric juice in such situations can provoke an exacerbation of symptoms.

Thus, we can conclude that for most healthy people there is nothing wrong with eating fruit on an empty stomach. However, in the presence of chronic diseases of the digestive system, especially during an exacerbation, it is better to refrain from this practice. You should also be careful with sour fruits if you have problems with high stomach acidity. In any case, if you have the relevant diseases, it is recommended to consult a gastroenterologist who can give you individual advice on dietary nutrition.